"I've also brought you something…" He handed her what seemed like tons of white fabric. It was nice to the touch and felt expensive, nothing Eris ever had the chance to wear or even touch.
"If you decide to come… It would make me very happy if you wore it." Eris looked at it and nodded. She bit her lip, being careful not to make a promise she couldn't hold.
"I will be there" Her heartbeat went faster but seeing his face light up made it feel like it was worth it. She could see him one last time. What happens after that she wouldn't know. With a see you later, he left and the door was closed again.
She let the fabric unfold and it was a beautiful pure white dress with pearl decorations. It had several layers of clothing too. It must have cost a fortune. She would feel extremely bad if she wouldn't go after getting such an expensive gift. She sighed and placed down the dress on the table neatly.
When morning arrived, she got out of bed and began to style her hair somehow. She decided to cover her ears as much as possible and have her hair in a single braid. She put on the dress which felt heavier compared to the simple ones she usually wore.
She kept biting her lips, peeling off the dry skin until she began to bleed. She had to force herself to stop, not wanting the blood to ruin her dress. But she felt incredibly insecure in it. That it's not hers to wear and it doesn't fit her. The dress was so pure that she felt like she was tainting it.
After standing around in it she decided to change but that's when Cashimir knocked on the door. She sighed, it was too late to change it. A deep breath filled her lungs as she held it and opened the door, seeing Cashimir with the same uniform as yesterday.
His eyes widened when their eyes met and suddenly Eris wanted to rip the dress apart and burn it. Her body moved backwards but Cashimir caught her hand and followed her movement.
"I-It looks… Well… Wonderful on you" The blood rushed up towards her cheeks, if Cashimir's hand didn't have a firm grip on her, she would have run away. She looked down, gave a simple nod then stepped out from her cottage with him following her.
He gave a light squeeze as they were walking towards the village. The closer they got, the more her stomach wanted to empty itself and her blood rushed towards her legs, preparing to run away.
"I won't let them hurt you this time"
A lie she thought. He would go away today and leave everyone for a big holy quest. When he's gone, who knows what they will do to her? The thought made her feel even worse, thinking it's a mistake to even come here when she could be in her cottage, safe.
But he pulled on her lightly and that was enough for her to follow. It's too late now as she stepped inside and immediately she felt the piercing eyes on her and heard the faraway whispers filled with disgust.
She looked at Cashimir's face but his eyes were filled with happiness, for a goodbye festival was prepared for him. Of course he wouldn't notice. He is too blind to see that his beloved neighbours would even think to hurt someone. So in shame, she looked down feeling like a prisoner.
Everyone came to Cashimir, congratulated him and wished him well on his journey. They gave him gifts for the trips. Survival kits, food, clothes and more. Each time someone came, Eris could feel how the grip around her hand became lighter and lighter and soon he slipped away from her.
A group of villagers separated them as he was forced to join the dance and she was left out, watching him smiling and having fun. Maybe now was the chance to sneak away?
Her eyes had a hard time parting away from his face, envying the look, the happiness he gave and at the same time her heart was fluttering, thinking about the times he gave a similar look to her. How this is the last time she will ever see him like that again.
When she turned around she almost bumped into someone. Eris quickly backed away and apologised, not wanting to anger anyone more than necessary. When she looked up she saw a familiar face. Cashimir's mother.
Her face was tense as usual and the wrinkles just became deeper and larger and her hair lost it's silver glow, only leaving it to be gray.
"Mrs Havenbow"
"Eris. You have grown a lot since I saw you last" Her lips were in a smile but her eyes seemed dull and tired. Eris never really enjoyed her company, it was like she was judging her constantly and held her tongue just because she was close to her son.
Eris looked at the path towards the woods, hoping Mrs Havenbow would leave but instead she grabbed Eris' arm.
"Why don't you join the dance dear?" Her body froze as she was pulled towards the dance. She followed everyone else's movements as best as she could but they kept stepping on her feet, pulling on her dress and her hair. She was close to breaking down and running away but her next dance partner was Cashimir himself.
"They aren't good dancers are they?" He joked and the gentle touch of his arms healed her pain. It was almost, almost worth it. For a few seconds, it felt like it was just the two of them dancing, moving their bodies together with the music.
But then it stopped and the sound of the blowing horn was heard, announcing that it's time for Cashimir to leave in the name of Theelia and to start his grand quest, making everyone proud. That's when Eris saw a hint of sadness in his eyes.
He planted a kiss on top of Eris' hand and he didn't let go. They stared at each other before he was pulled away, none of them being able to utter the words. None of them were able to say goodbye.
The crowds followed after Cashimir, cheering for him and waving as Eris only were able to see glimpses of him before he disappeared on the road, making his way to the big city which took days on foot.
She looked at the surrounding houses, not getting any emotion of comfort or familiarity. She was a stranger to them just like the whole village was to her. Now that he is gone, it felt like there was nothing for her left.
Her hopes disappeared along him. Will she live alone just like her Granny? Age until she finds some sort of child to take care of?
"Such a shame that Cashimir wasted that dress on someone like you" Eris looked up and she was already being surrounded by the villagers. She cursed standing up and trying to walk away but they pushed her back down. The girl who spoke first grabbed onto Eris' pure white dress.
"You are tainting it." She spat out those words as she ripped the dress. As Eris heard the sound, her heart ripped with it. She was hoping she could at least keep a good memory of the village and the last gift from Cashimir. The feeling of anger bubbled inside of her. She had grown tired of these people, she had grown tired of this treatment.
But the anger wasn't enough for her to act. The dress was soon ripped in parts and Eris returned home, her face was covered in dirt, her ears were in pain and she was carrying what was left of the dress.
She entered her home and dumped the dress on her bed. She had a feeling that this would happen, no need to cry. She was angry at herself for letting it happen again. The sun had set and it was completely dark.
She lit up a candle and looked around. Her Granny didn't leave anything for her to do. The others at the village had like, a family shop to keep up or something. But Eris has nothing. No one would buy anything from her.
The slow realisation that she has no goal, motivation or calling that would make her do something with her life made her sink down on the chair and the thought weighed down her body.
"Eris…" Her body suddenly became lighter when the voice echoed from the woods. That is her calling. She quickly went out from her cottage and followed the voice to the same place as they first met. Eris saw Evodine dancing around on the lake, almost as she was walking on it.
"There you are~ Have you changed your mind?" The butterfly woman moved closer to Eris and once again she was mesmerized over how pretty she was with those golden details glimmering in the moonlight. Eris gave a small nod, still a little hesitant. This choice might change her life completely.
"I am ready to receive your great gift Evodine"